The Development Control Committee of Stroud Council was scheduled to consider a range of planning applications and a budget monitoring report. Key planning matters included proposals for new housing developments in Uley, Gloucester, and Whitminster, alongside a review of the committee's revenue budgets for the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year.

Land at South Street, Uley

The committee was scheduled to consider a permission in principle application for a phased development of up to three self-build dwellings on land at South Street, Uley. The report pack indicated that officers were recommending refusal for this application. The primary reasons for the recommended refusal were concerns about the significant harm the development would cause to the character and appearance of the Cotswolds National Landscape¹ and the Uley Conservation Area². The report highlighted that the site was located outside the established settlement edge and was considered to be within a high sensitivity area for housing development. While the proposal was acknowledged as contributing to housing delivery and meeting a demand for self-build units, these benefits were considered insufficient to outweigh the identified landscape and heritage harms.

Land South of Grange Road, Gloucester

An outline planning application for up to 49 dwellings, including 30% affordable housing, on land south of Grange Road, Gloucester, was scheduled for discussion. The report pack indicated that officers were recommending that permission be granted, subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement³. A key consideration for this application was the council's inability to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply, which, under the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 2026⁴, meant that development proposals were to be treated as sustainable development unless specific harms outweighed the benefits. The report highlighted the sustainable location of the site, its contribution to housing needs, and the efficient use of land as significant benefits. While the proposal conflicted with the adopted Stroud District Local Plan 2015⁵ due to its location outside defined settlement limits, officers concluded that these conflicts were outweighed by the benefits, particularly in light of the housing land supply position.

Land Off School Lane, Whitminster

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for the approval of reserved matters⁶ following an outline approval for 44 dwellings on land off School Lane, Whitminster. This application was to determine matters of siting, design, external appearance, access, and landscaping. The report pack indicated that officers were recommending that permission be granted. The proposal was seen as broadly compliant with the Whitminster Design Statement⁷ and reflected the character of the local area. The design and layout were considered acceptable, with the built form set back from School Lane to create a sensitive transition to the open countryside. The housing mix, including affordable housing, and sustainability measures such as solar panels and air source heat pumps were also noted as acceptable. Concerns raised by Whitminster Parish Council⁸ regarding density, parking, and play provision were addressed within the report, with officers concluding that the scheme met the requirements of relevant local and national planning policies.

Budget Monitoring Report Q1 2026/27

A budget monitoring report for the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year was scheduled to be presented. The report was intended to outline the forecast outturn position against the revenue budgets for which the committee was responsible. The report indicated a projected net revenue overspend of £31,000 for the Development Control Committee's budgets. This overspend was attributed to increased consultancy fees, higher supplier costs due to inflation, and the costs associated with planning appeals, particularly those heard by Public Inquiry. The report also provided an overview of the council's wider savings targets as part of the Medium Term Financial Plan⁹, highlighting the need for significant budget reductions in future years.